This past January we launched Caring for Colorado’s new Youth Health and Well-Being funding opportunity, with goals of providing multi-year grants, focusing on our priority populations, and increasing our support in rural communities. What we didn’t anticipate when this opportunity was launched was the overwhelming needs of young people and their families that we would uncover.
On the day that grant applications were due, we were shocked to receive 403 applications totaling $87 million, with a budget of only $6 million for this funding area. We felt both overwhelmed and underprepared for this level of need. Today, given the uncertainties in the nonprofit and local government sectors due to shifting federal funding priorities coupled with a state budget requiring over $1 billion in cuts, we know these needs will only grow.
In response to these challenges, the Caring for Colorado Board of Directors has committed an additional $3 million this year to support the Youth Health and Well-Being funding priority, and an additional $250,000 to support place-based grantmaking in Pueblo. Meanwhile, we are exploring ways to better support our partner organizations in the future. We have heard the urgent call for increased funding, as many community programs face significant cuts.
While foundations can’t replace the critical role of government funding, we can step in where possible. This includes increasing our financial support as we are able; amplifying community messages about the needs of young people and their families; providing convening spaces for organizations to plan together; and offering capacity-building resources to strengthen nonprofits. We also plan to collaborate with our philanthropic partners to coordinate responses to issues impacting Colorado’s youth.
Going forward, we pledge to be transparent about our decisions during these turbulent times, and to advocate for policies that support, not harm, the health and well-being of young people in our state.
We are grateful for your partnership and welcome your comments at info@caringforcolorado.org.